The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-04-28

the Interstate Commerce Commits
sfOners Examininn Witnesses.

Tine Interstate Commerce Commits
siOners Examininn Witnesses.
ATLANTA. April 21.-The Interstate
Commerce Commission began its first
meeting here at 10 O'Clock this morning,
in the City Council Chamber. Judge
Cooley called the meeting to order and
stated that large number of petitions
had been received from railroads in this
part of the country asking for excep-
tiOnal orders under the Interstate Com
merce Act. These orders could be male
only upon evidence taken before the
commission. He said:
I'VE have come here to hear this evi-
dence on the part of those who urge ex-
ceptional orders and those who oppose
them. Evidence will be given under oath
just as if it were judicial investigation.
As the petitions are numerous and our
time limited we will have to map out a
mode of procedure which will expediete
matters. 1t is desirable that persons and
communities shall concentrate their
views, petitions and evidence. We do
not expect to examine each petition by
for the facts sustaining one petition are
much the same as those supporting the
Others"
Governor Bullock asked the commission
to suspend the regular order of business
SO that resolution adopted last night by
large meeting could be presented.
ThereupOn Major j. F. Hanson, of Ma
con, read a resolution asking the Com
mission to make permanent its tempo
rary suspension of the long and short sec
ton of the bill with regard To Southern
lines. The Commission expressed a desire
witnesses was given.
EXAMINING WITNESSES.
The first witness examined was
Charles A. Sindall, Secretary of the
Southern Railway and Steamship Asso-
citation. Gen. T.. p. Alexander, Presi-
dent of the Georgia Central Railroad.
conducted the direct examination. The
witness gave minute explanations of how
rates are made and maintained by the
railroads and " alter lines. He was cross
examined at great length by Judge
Cooley, Commissioners Walker and
Bragg.
T. NJ. Emerson, of the Atlantic Coast
Line, and w. p. Shellman. of the
Georgia Central road, We're examined
in the same points at great length The
Commission then took recess till I
O'Clock in the afternoon.
WATER vs.. RAII. RATES.
MIR. Ogden, of the Southern Railway
and Steamship Association. was the next
witness after the recess and he testified
at great length touching the difference
between water rates and land rates. He
was questioned by Mr.. Stahlman as to
what effect river rates have upon rail
rates at st. Louis, Memphis, Nickburg.
and other cities, which have water and
rail competition.
The witness stated that to great ex-
tent water rates controlled the rates of
railroads. He was asked to speak with
reference To rates to and from Atlanta,
In comparison with rates to towns near
here. He showed that the rates on GER
tain classes of freight would be affected
if the long and short haul section should
be enforced.
At the conclusion of Mr. OgJIen's state
ment, which he was permitted To make
without interruption, Mr.. Stahlman
asked him if he had ever heard any COM
plaint about high rates from towns along
the State road, and the witness replied
he had not.
Commissioner Bragg-''Is he charge
on freight from the West to Atlanta the
same rs il is from the West to Chatta-
noOga:" YES, the same rates per
mile"
What determines the rate to
Chattanooga" questioned Commissioner
Bragg. - 1t is simply regulated by
agreement" was the reply.
Has water anything to do with the rate
to Chattanooga: - mo, sir. l think not"
what is the rate from the West To
Birmingham ?" The same as it is to
Montgomery"
What regulates this = .Competi-
ton"
What about the rate to Rome. GA
The rates to Rome are the Georgia |
Commissioners rate, with the local rate |
from Atlanta added.